Camille Naredo

Filipino-Italian alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Photo courtesy of Jezreel Apelar

Filipino-Italian alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

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Winter Olympics

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771744531378WhatsApp Image 2026-02-22 at 3.07.33 PM.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Filipino-Italian alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Photo courtesy of Jezreel Apelar" width="960"/>Filipino-Italian alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Photo courtesy of Jezreel Apelar</div>MANILA -- Filipino-Italian alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli is taking home all the positives from his first appearance at the sporting world&#x27;s biggest stage. He relished the opportunity to be able to compete against world-class athletes at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.  Ceccarelli faced off with Olympic medalists and veteran alpine skiers in the giant slalom and slalom events at the Winter Games last week.  <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/2/18/alpine-skier-francis-ceccarelli-proud-to-represent-ph-despite-ending-winter-olympics-campaign-1147">READ: Francis Ceccarelli proud to represent PH despite ending Winter Olympics campaign</a></div>&quot;For me, this experience is 9 to 10 because, yeah, the sensation is good, the feel is good, only the weather [was] really difficult... It&#x27;s okay. The next time we can make it to the top 50 [in the world],&quot; he told ABS-CBN News in an online interview on Saturday. &quot;This experience [is] like a beautiful moment, because you start, [to compete] with a big athlete, like top in the world. I mean, every athlete wants to participate for Olympic Games. And it was for my first time. And I&#x27;m so really happy and so really proud for my works and for my races. And so beautiful experience,&quot; Ceccarelli added. The 22-year-old alpine skier finished 54th out of 81 competitors in men&#x27;s giant slalom, while he registered a DNF (did not finish) in the crash-filled slalom event due to rough conditions. Despite ending his campaign on a bittersweet note, Ceccarelli is still glad and honored to have represented his roots at the Winter Games. &quot;For me, representing the Philippines, for me, it&#x27;s an honor. Because it&#x27;s my country, is my country favorite, you know, where I was born. Like yeah, I&#x27;m so really emotional and so really proud to participate for my country and my flag... I hope the next time make the best and can make a better,&quot; he shared. Ahead of the closing ceremony, Ceccarelli returned to training after being inspired by what he saw during the Winter Games. <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/2/21/poc-s-tolentino-sees-bright-future-for-ph-in-winter-olympics-1309">READ: POC&#x27;s Tolentino sees bright future for PH in Winter Olympics</a></div>&quot;I want to continue [competing] because we are young. Yeah [I will keep] training, training, [and joining] races. I mean, this is work. We continue,&quot; he said. Ceccarelli hopes his and Tallulah Proulx&#x27;s appearance at the Winter Games will help inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes in winter sport. &quot;I mean, for the next gen [of] Filipinos, I want to tell [them], always believe in your dreams and really never give up because it&#x27;s important. You work really, really hard [to be] in the moment,&quot; he said.  &quot;I know it&#x27;s really difficult and it&#x27;s really stressful, but if you really want to [reach your] dreams, you know it&#x27;s real, push it, push it. And so really never give up because one day, the big events, it&#x27;s really make it to fun in the one day in future,&quot; Ceccarelli shared. The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics will officially close on February 22 at the Verona Stadium.

Filipino-Italian alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli is taking home all the positives from his first appearance at the sporting world's biggest stage.

Filipino-Italian alpine skier Francis Ceccarelli is taking home all the positives from his first appearance at the sporting world's biggest stage.

PH's Francis Ceccarelli inspired after facing high-level skiers in Winter Games

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PH's Francis Ceccarelli inspired after facing high-level skiers in Winter Games

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Feb 22, 2026 03:16 PM PHT

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abssports

Winter Olympics

Winter Olympic Games

Milano Cortina

Francis Ceccarelli

Men's Giant Slalom

Men's Slalom

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